Code officers issue citations as part of new city initiative

ERIC CONOVER/Staff Photographer Richard Wech, Hazleton code enforcement officer, inspects a home on Vine Street, Hazleton, on Monday as he and other city officials start to enforce quality-of-life offenses. Three tickets were written for trash, an old vehicle on the property and indoor furniture on the porch.

Hazleton Code Officers Richard Wech and Mary Ann Thomas began walking on Vine Street, looking at yards and porches for weeds, garbage and other violations of city ordinances Monday morning.

At one house, they found two tires by a front door. In a lot next to a vacant house, weeds grew knee high.

On another lot, Thomas placed a ruler next to a clump of weeds. They were taller than the 10-inch limit, so the owner was fined $25.

The code officers, helped by health officers and firefighters, swept through Hazleton while inspecting properties as part of a campaign to maintain the city's quality of life. In addition to Vine Street, they checked center city, the Heights and Terrace sections and the Beech Street neighborhood. They plan to continue inspections during the week.

Following a checklist, the inspectors looked for weeds, vehicles, trash, indoor furniture or appliances placed outdoors and 15 other possible violations including unlicensed food carts, littering and improper storage of recyclables or hazardous waste.

While inspectors have inspected properties during other summers, this week's patrol is different because owners get tickets without being warned.

The effort was publicized previously in the Standard-Speaker; a Spanish newspaper, Molinegocios USA Inc.; and on local television news programs, yet the lack of warning upset residents when inspectors handed them tickets.

Diana Anciburo said she pays attention to raising children, not watching the news. Plus she was out of town during the weekend when some of the stories were published.

"Why don't they give a warning?" Anciburo said after Wech handed her three tickets - one each for a vehicle with expired registration, for trash in the backyard and for indoor furniture on the front porch - totaling $75.

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Code officers issue citations as part of new city initiative